South Africa will not walk alone in its campaign to host the 2010 World Cup. Not if David Beckham has anything to do with it.
”I support the South African 2010 World Cup bid. To have it in South Africa will be amazing. I would like to play my last World Cup in 2010 here in South Africa,” the England captain said as he prepared to lead his country out against Bafana Bafana on Thursday.
These comments by the most recognisable footballer in the world (although his new corn-row hairstyle caught a few by surprise this week) delighted South African bid chief Danny Jordaan.
”The biggest soccer icon in the world has just endorsed the South African soccer bid,” he said.
One of the bid committee’s objectives in arranging the England game was to send a strong message to European nations about South Africa’s suit-ability as 2010 hosts. Beckham is just the man to drive the message home, having personalised the bid, said Jordaan.
Deputy President Jacob Zuma said that the launch of the international bid was an exciting moment and brought pride to the country. Zuma said South Africa has the
capacity to host a great event like the World Cup.